Timeline of Coffee Trends
Cassandra Conklin / Foodservice Tips, Restaurant Tips / January 20

Coffee is the foundation of many mornings, being served up in one big pot at the local diner or having individual orders of cappuccinos to go. Coffee trends have always been around, especially with trends coming and going much quicker in this new age of technology. While we have our predictions for coffee trends 2025, we want to take a trip down memory lane to see the history of coffee and the different types of coffee trends that have led us to the coffee we know today. Our timeline of coffee trends will take you back to from coffee bean to that bold cup o’ joe.
2020s
The year 2020 started off rough, with many people resorting to making coffee at home instead of ordering out. The biggest trend that was going around social media was dalgona coffee. A whipped coffee that takes a bit of time at home, but is hand beaten and a different texture than your average latte. This coffee was interactive and took a bit of time, making it extremely popular for delighting everyone during quarantine times. The 2020’s have trends coming and going a lot quicker than the previous decades, from shaken espressos to mushroom coffee. We still have a handful of years until the 2020’s end, so we can’t wait to see where coffee will take us next.
2010’s
The 2010’s had a variety of trends happening in the coffee world. People were still taking photos of their coffee and posting it on social media, and ethical coffee was staying strong in the environmentally conscious community. Take a stroll down memory lane with these trends:
- 2012-2016 – Nitro coffee started off in 2010, but was getting very popular with crowds around 2012 to 2016. Nitro brew was trending at chain shops and also specialty coffee bars. Some coffee shops also added nitro brew taps on demand.
- 2015 – Flat white coffee was first around in the 80’s, but 2015 saw this coffee pop up on mainstream chain menus and became a consistent presence. This drink became especially popular with those coffee fanatics that like stronger flavored coffee, but also with a bit of milky cream to it.
- 2015-2017 – For those who still brave a cold brew in the dead of winter, cold brew was more than just a trend of the 2010’s. This drink has a long history, but it saw a major bump in popularity around 2015. People were searching the internet for local spots to drink this and how to make an iced coffee. This drink moved from trendy to a staple coffee that helps people enjoy coffee during heat waves, or even during winter for those crazy enough to hold a cold brew with their mittens.
2000’s
When it comes to coffee in the 2000’s, things were starting to change from the previous decade. The dawn of a new age with technology and business models meant that the coffee business was eventually changing too. What do you remember about your favorite coffee pre-2010? Here are ours:
- 2009 – Coffee subscriptions started their humbling beginnings in coffee trends, only to become a major player now. We see subscriptions everywhere nowadays, but coffee subscriptions have only become more trendy and an accessible way for consumers to get coffee at home. We don’t think we will be saying goodbye to this trend anytime soon. Coffee subscriptions will be here to stay and not just a flash fad.
- 2006 – This is the year of the Aeropress coffee. 2006 saw the introduction of aeropress coffee and it stole the hearts of many caffeine lovers. Word spread across coffee forums and the aeropress became one of the trendy and versatile ways of brewing coffee.
- 2004 – The age of pumpkin spice latte begins here. An iconic coffee trend that many remember, in 2004 it became a chain menu item. Who knew the impact that the PSL would make on the coffee industry. Now with this staple flavor becoming a fall coffee classic, the PSL can retire from trendy to timeless.
80’s & 90’s
Here in the 80’s and 90’s, coffee changed more than the previous decades. It became more than just a black coffee or coffee with a packet of sugar. The 80’s saw a rise in flavored coffee and espresso popularity. People wanted to get their coffee infused with delicious flavors like vanilla, hazelnut and more. Espresso also became a staple in many small and large coffee shops, from just a small cup of espresso to the infused-drinks we know and love today.
Meanwhile, the next 10 years of the 90’s still saw a lot of trends coming and going with coffee. Frappuccinos were a hot and trendy drink that made its way onto many coffee chain menus. Those delicious and cold drinks were reminiscent of milk shakes while also giving those with a sweeter tooth the opportunity to enjoy coffee. The 90’s also had fair trade coffee gaining a lot more popularity and awareness. With the internet, people became more aware about where their coffee was coming from, and what it meant when a bag of coffee beans said ‘fair trade’. Even today we can still see those ‘ethically sourced’ and ‘fair trade’ stickers on many bags around.
1950’s
What the 1950’s saw in coffee was more than just grounds. Coffee became a social event, with more consumers drinking it at home and having people over for coffee. Instant coffee was the trendy choice for many average coffee drinkers. Instant coffee was a time-saver and was the effortless way for a host to serve a roomful of people. It became a part of diner culture, was a staple on grocery shelves and certainly was the choice drink for many workers mornings.
17th Century
By the 17th century, Europe got a taste of coffee and became coffee fanatics. A far cry from the drive-thru coffee orders that we have today, coffee was still in demand no matter the time period. With coffee becoming a trend of Europe, it made the leap from monarchies to colonies quickly. Many coffee plantations were established and soon coffee became a major trade item. Coffee has come a long way since the days of monarchies, along with the trends that make it a staple today.
15th Century
While frappuccinos weren’t exactly trending in the 15th century, this is where we see some of our important coffee history. During the 15th century, coffee started to spread widely to Middle East countries and societies. This began a lot of coffee culture in many areas, bringing caffeine and helping communities bond over coffee. From community discussions to the farming and cultivation of coffee in new areas, coffee really made an impact on the 15th century and the people who drank it. Coffee didn’t have trends at this time, coffee was the trend.